A kiss is just a kiss

[JAGG]

I have always kissed my father, and grandmother on the lips and so have my siblings. I still do kiss my dad on the lips, and if my grandmother was alive her as well. As an adult, I also kiss my siblings on the lips . Same way a child kisses you on the lips, there is nothing sexual or sensual about it. I kissed my grandmother goodnite every night , until I left home. Nothing about it seems weird to me. Just a gesture of love and respect. I never gave it much thought until now. I also have a few very close friends I kiss too.

[MrSunshine]

Interesting. It's funny, I was never told not to or taught that. It's how I feel personally.

[PinkieLee]

Another kisser here!

I see my parents all the time, and everytime I say goodbye to them I hug, give them a kiss on the lips and say I love you.

This also is true with friends that I don't get to see very often and goodbyes are always emotional. Some get quick kisses on the lips, others it's the peck on the cheek.

But then again, I'm a big hugger... and even with my friends that I see everyday I hug them goodbye & tell them I love them.

Yeah, I'm a big ol' mush bucket!

[Gráinne]

I never kissed my parents on the lips, but they weren't demonstrative physically.

My daughter (13) will do that, always has, and I never thought anything of it. It's certainly not sensual, only affectionate. Some close friends, also, male and female.

My son, ever since he was 10, has flatly refused any kisses at all. I miss being affectionate, but it's his body. He will let me muss his hair.

[Amber2010]

I agree with Princessbelle, I also think it is what you have grown up with. In my family we didn't do much in affection then I met my dad's side of the family "divorce of course" they are pure italian and wow they hug and kiss and it felt so weid to me. Now I can kiss family and friends without feeling strange about it. I have a teen son who gives me the eye roll every time I do it in front of family so I try to respect that but as long as it feels good in your family and with your friends I don't see anything wrong with a kiss or a hug.

[iamkeri1]

We are big kissers in my family. Parents, aunts uncles, cousins, all got kisses - lips or cheeks - and still do. We sit comfortably with our arms around each other as well. My daughter started resisting lip kisses at about age 12, but hugs easily. My sons (all grown) will still give me a quick greeting kiss hello (or on New Year's Eve as that is our family custom.)

No big deal, nothing sexual about it. And I will say, additionally, that kids can differentiate between "good" kisses and bad kisses. My kids are adopted, and at least two of them were sexually molested as toddlers. It has had many effects on their lives in general, but they know who is "safe" and who is not, and they still want those mommy kisses.

I have lots of friends I exchange kisses with, the culture of my church includes kissing (the kiss of peace) and it would feel wierd to not get these kisses I think.

But as others have said, we are the owners of our own bodies and no one should have to endure an unwanted kiss.

Smooches, (but only if you're comfortable with it, LOL)
Keri

[Apocalipstic]

I have have friends I kiss on the lips, some on the cheek, some on both cheeks and some I hug.

Cultural differences. As as child, when we would visit the US, I was told it was inappropriate to kiss people like I do, but being inappropriate in small ways made it even more appealing!

Kissing is fabulous! Great thread TF!

Lip kisser here. Still pucker up for my Pops every week. Always did with my Ma and grannies too. Brothers not. Wider family not. Some chosen family get the lip thang some don't.

Tinkerbell and her four sons (17-26yrs) do lippage too.

[Novelafemme]

We kiss lots in my family. I kiss my girls on the mouth, cheek, forehead, where ever! My biological family is the same way as is my partner's family. All lip kissers. I don't kiss my friends on the mouth, but I am a big cheek kisser and hugger. If it's someone I don't know very well I will ask if I can hug them or just let them know in advance that I'm coming in for a squeeze.

[WingsOnFire]

Originally Posted by iamkeri1

[B][FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=3][COLOR=magenta]
Smooches, (but only if you're comfortable with it, LOL)
Keri

SMMOOOOCHES SISSY!!! LOL...seriously... I grew up kissing on the cheek not the lips... personally I wouldnt find it intimate at all unless I was intimate with the person. The bear went to kiss me on the cheek and I snuck a kiss on his lips and shocked him lol...but its nothing sexual.

I too believe its cultural or how you were raised. It wouldnt bother me either way. I am very emotional and touchy feely. If I was kissing a lover on the lips and someone who was a friend or family member on the lips it would mean two totally different things to me. I just never really thought about it before..

Thanks for the thread.

[1QuirkyKiwi]

Originally Posted by The_Lady_Snow

I kiss my cubs on the lips, cheek, hands or I still do a lil "muah" on their owies. Im affectionate with the cubs since when I was a kid there was no affection.

There are some friends I'd lip smooch with once again it's cultural a kiss on the mouth is not frowned upon or looked upon as anything other than a greeting, affection, salutations.


I know it's not often seen in American culture.

Originally Posted by Amber2010

they are pure italian and wow they hug and kiss and it felt so weid to me. but as long as it feels good in your family and with your friends I don't see anything wrong with a kiss or a hug.

It is a cultural thing from my experience; both my Maori and Italian family kissed on the lips and affection was shown freely (this is why I’m an affection bucket, lol!). In my Maori family, we do a Hongi; we press noses and foreheads together and exchange the breath of each other’s life….. It’s our version of a handshake. My closest Whenau (family) always kiss on the lips afterwards.

I will Hongi my English cousin and kiss him on the cheek and very occasionally on the lips; usually at Christmas and Birthday’s.

Friends, I sometimes Hongi and kiss on the cheek depending on their comfort level.

[grenade]

Originally Posted by 1QuirkyKiwi

I In my Maori family, we do a Hongi; we press noses and foreheads together and exchange the breath of each other’s life….. It’s our version of a handshake.

This is just beautiful.

I'd carry tic tacs though.

[Mr Nice Guy]

Kiss on the cheek. Sometimes just a hug.

[1QuirkyKiwi]

Originally Posted by grenade

This is just beautiful.

I'd carry tic tacs though.

LOL! I just spat my tea out everywhere! LOL! I've never been keen on family members who have smoked and still do when it comes to doing the Hongi. I do cringe a little and try not to breathe too deeply, lol! Anyone Hongi-ing (not a word) me gets a lovely whiff of ginger, lol!

[pinkgeek]

Originally Posted by 1QuirkyKiwi

It is a cultural thing from my experience; both my Maori and Italian family kissed on the lips and affection was shown freely (this is why I’m an affection bucket, lol!). In my Maori family, we do a Hongi; we press noses and foreheads together and exchange the breath of each other’s life….. It’s our version of a handshake. My closest Whenau (family) always kiss on the lips afterwards.

I will Hongi my English cousin and kiss him on the cheek and very occasionally on the lips; usually at Christmas and Birthday’s.

Friends, I sometimes Hongi and kiss on the cheek depending on their comfort level.

I'm mostly aclimatized to mainland culture and I forget on the islands how affectionate people are, even people who aren't close. I had to help my Mum and her ladies auxiliary with some stuff this morning and many of the ladies had not met me before. It was kisses and hugs from all the Aunties who have been "waiting forever to meet Beryl's daughter".

My Mum and I still Hongi and kiss both cheeks when I leave the island or come back. My queer family - we kiss, hug, snuggle and are very affectionate.

Excellent topic!!!

[bright_arrow]

I can not really recall if my family was affectionate.. I suppose it was more of a rarity with my immediate family. My mother's family though, we are all huggers. However, I reserve contact for my close friends and family. I am okay when other people try to hug me, I just have to pick up on the cue. I will not try to hug anyone outside of my family, friends have to initiate it.

If someone tried to kiss me on the lips, honestly, it would bother me. I can not pinpoint why exactly, but it would. The kiddo hugs me sometimes and she will go to kiss me on the mouth and I automatically avert but kiss her cheek or the top of her head.

Obviously, I am most affectionate with my partner. I love to hug and hold hands and cuddle, but reserve that part of me for my partner. Sometimes when we visit my family I will cuddle up next to my mom and put my head on her shoulder, but we have not always been like that. My dad is a big hugger now that I've grown, and I like it

[1QuirkyKiwi]

Originally Posted by pinkgeek

I'm mostly aclimatized to mainland culture and I forget on the islands how affectionate people are, even people who aren't close. I had to help my Mum and her ladies auxiliary with some stuff this morning and many of the ladies had not met me before. It was kisses and hugs from all the Aunties who have been "waiting forever to meet Beryl's daughter".

My Mum and I still Hongi and kiss both cheeks when I leave the island or come back. My queer family - we kiss, hug, snuggle and are very affectionate.

Excellent topic!!!

My first visit to the UK to study, I had a few unpleasant comments about why couldn’t I keep my hands to myself. It did hurt, then I learned to read the ‘signals’ and go from there. Going from one country to another with different attitudes to touching and being affectionate is stressful; especially when I felt almost straight Jacket-ed because being touchy-feely wasn’t the done thing.

When I meet anyone for the first time, I always take their hand and hold their arm, whilst smiling.

If I should meet any members here, the first thing I’d do after smiling at them, is open my arms for a hug. One of my partners and some dates have told me that I’m overly-affectionate….. They did admit that they weren’t that affectionate.

I’m very kinaesthetic and literally see the world through touch. If I don’t like someone, then I hate being touched be them and touching them.